Finally got my new LYMAN #311252 for .32acp. Never cast from a mold with a cavity this small. Just can't seem to get a decent fill out. I've cast 7mm & .30cal weighing down to 130grs. Never had a problem with base or nose fill out on these. I also cast #311316 & #356242-90gr. when I was a kid. Didn't have a problem with that.
I prepped the mold as I always have with a new mold. Disassembled it, boiled the heck out of it in a pot of water w/Dawn dish soap for about 10 min. rinsed it really well in boiling water. Scrubbed it down with acetone as soon as it was cool enough to handle. Preheated by using a hot plate with a cast iron diffuser plate. I stood the mold front face down so the sprue plate was also in contact with the hot plate. Even smoked the cavities with a match.
Started with Linotype at 700 degrees. Did about a dozen fills and then started checking the bullets after they hit the towel. no base fill out, & those tiny lines in the nose. But not wrinkled. Just no decent fill. Cast 100+ and ended up with about 15 sorta good ones.
What am I doing wrong ?
Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.